Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Knowles, John (fl.1646-1668)
KNOWLES, JOHN (fl. 1646–1668), antitrinitarian, probably a native of Gloucester, first appears as a lay preacher among the independents there. In 1648 he described himself as ‘a preacher of the gospel, formerly in and neer Glocester.’ He was well acquainted with the Greek text of the New Testament and with Latin commentators, and his antitrinitarian sentiments were the result of his own scriptural studies. He admits having ‘had upon occasion some communion’ with ‘one who appeared infected therein:’ a clear reference to John Biddle [q. v.], who left Gloucester in 1646. But he did not adopt Biddle's specific opinions, his doctrine being of the Arian, not the Socinian type. He expressly states in 1668 that he had not read any of the writings of F. P. Socinus. By the parliamentary committee at Gloucester he was examined (1646?) on suspicion of unsoundness in the article of the Trinity, and gave in a written statement in which he owns to having ‘had some questionings,’ but gives his reasons for being now satisfied of ‘the Godhead of the Holy Ghost.’ He seems to have left Gloucester for London, where he lodged with Edward Atkinson, an antitrinitarian, in Aldersgate Street. Joining the parliamentary army, he belonged in 1648, according to his own account, ‘to the lifeguard of his excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax.’ He still continued to preach, publishing a defence of ‘a private man's preaching.’ Early in 1650 he became ‘public preacher to the garrison’ at Chester, in succession to Samuel Eaton [q. v.] The biographer of John Murcot [q. v.], writing in 1657, speaks of Knowles as having been ‘a formidable and blazing comet at Chester,’ where ‘in public sermons, private conferences, and by a manuscript’ he ‘denied Jesus Christ to be the Most High God.’ A short paper of arguments for the deity of Christ, sent by Eaton to Chester from Dukinfield, was published by Knowles in 1650, with his own reply. The pamphlet purports to have been ‘printed by T. N. for Gyles Calvert,’ the well-known publisher of eccentric theology; and in July 1650 John Whittell, girdler, of Milk Street, London, was brought before the council of state on the charge of having caused it to be printed. Replies were published by Eaton (1650 and 1651), and by Thomas Porter of Whitchurch, Shropshire (1651). The imprimatur of Porter's pamphlet, entitled ‘A Serious Exercitation,’ is dated 26 Dec. 1650, and by that time Knowles was ‘late preacher at Chester.’ He appears to have returned to Gloucester, for on 19 Nov. 1650 the mayor of that city was directed by the council of state to examine witnesses on oath respecting Knowles's preaching against the divinity of Christ. He removed to Pershore, Worcestershire, where he lived some fifteen years as ‘a professed minister.’
At Pershore he was apprehended on 9 April 1665 by Thomas, seventh baron Windsor, and imprisoned first at Worcester, and then in the Gatehouse, Westminster, on 23 May. Papers found in his house were made the basis of charges of heresy; he had been invited on 5 June 1662 by H. Hed of Huntingdon to meet Christopher Crell, the exiled Polish antitrinitarian, at Oxford; on 19 Nov. 1664 he had been invited to London by Thomas Firmin [q. v.] Letters from his friends were construed as implying that he was ready to countenance sedition. A collection on behalf of the Polish exiles was thought to be really for English rebels. On 23 June and again on 7 July he petitioned (writing also to Monck, duke of Albemarle) for liberty to go out on bail, as the plague was then raging in London. His petition was repeated on 2 Feb. 1666, and he gained his liberty soon afterwards. On his release he mixed in controversial talk with London clergy, who respected his learning and sincerity. With his publication in reply to ‘Justification onely upon a Satisfaction,’ &c., 1668, 12mo, by Robert Ferguson (d. 1714) [q. v.], he drops out of notice. A pamphleteer of 1698 states that he bequeathed some valuable books to a library at Gloucester.
He published: 1. ‘A Modest Plea for Private Men's Preaching,’ &c., 1648, 4to (published 30 March; in answer to ‘Private Men no Pulpit Men,’ &c., 1646, 4to, by Giles Workman). 2. ‘A Friendly Debate … by Writing betwixt Mr. Samuel Eaton and Mr. John Knowles,’ &c., 1650, 4to. 3. ‘An Answer to Mr. Ferguson's Book,’ &c. [1668?], 8vo. In this last he mentions other projected publications, but he is not known to have issued anything further.
[Grounds and Occasions of the Controversy concerning the Unity of God, 1698, p. 16; Wallace's Antitrinitarian Biog. 1850, i. 154, iii. 210 sq.; Urwick's Nonconformity in Cheshire, 1864, pp. 16 sq., 465 sq.; Cal. of State Papers, Dom. 1662, 1665.]